Communication system and method for sending isochronous streaming data within a frame segment using a signaling byte

Abstract

A communication system, network interface, and communication port is provided for interconnecting a network of multimedia devices. The multimedia devices can send streaming and/or non-streaming data across the network. The network accommodates all such types of data and assigns data types to time slots or frame segments within each frame to ensure streaming data maintains its temporal relationship at the receiver consistent with the transmitter. A signaling byte is preferably used to keep track of an amount by which isochronous streaming data occupies a frame segment.

1. A communication port, comprising:
 a framer circuit adapted to apportion each of a successive plurality of frames into multiple segments for accommodating respective dissimilar types of data; 
 wherein the framer circuit is further adapted to encode a message and place the encoded message into one segment of the multiple segments of each of the plurality of frames, and to insert a signaling bit into frame N of the plurality of frames to indicate the message begins in the one segment of frame N; and 
 wherein the signaling bit comprises a logic value determinative of whether the message begins in the one segment of frame N or if the one segment of frame N does not contain the beginning of the message. 
 
   
   
     2. The communication port as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dissimilar types of data comprise asynchronous data, synchronous data and isochronous data. 
   
   
     3. The communication port as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the encoded message is placed into the one segment depending on whether the type of data associated with the encoded message is asynchronous data, synchronous data or isochronous data. 
   
   
     4. The communication port as recited in  claim 3 , wherein encoded message is placed in the one segment of frame N preceded by the signaling bit to indicate the encoded message of isochronous data begins in frame N and ends in the one segment of a frame subsequent to frame N. 
   
   
     5. The communication port as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the encoded message of isochronous data has a length signified by a coding violation placed in the one segment of a frame subsequent to frame N. 
   
   
     6. The communication port as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the encoded message of isochronous data has a length signified by a field of bit value placed in the one segment of frame N. 
   
   
     7. A communication system, comprising:
 a transmission medium; 
 a transmitter configured to place a message of a particular type of data into one segment of multiple segments within each of at least two frames beginning with frame N, and wherein the transmitter is further configured to place a signaling bit into frame N; and 
 a receiver configured to receive the message and the signaling bit sent across the transmission medium from the transmitter to indicate a beginning of the message in the one segment of frame N, wherein the message has a length bounded by a coding violation placed in the one segment of a frame subsequent to frame N. 
 
   
   
     8. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the signaling bit precedes the one segment of frame N. 
   
   
     9. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the signaling bit is within the one segment of frame N and precedes the message within said one segment of frame N. 
   
   
     10. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the signaling bit precedes the one segment of frame N and all frames succeeding frame N that contain the message. 
   
   
     11. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the particular type of data comprises a substantially continuous stream of real-time data sampled at a first rate and placing the sampled data within the one segment upon the transmission medium clocked at a second rate dissimilar from the first rate. 
   
   
     12. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the particular type of data comprises isochronous data. 
   
   
     13. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein an ending of the message occurs in the one segment of a frame subsequent to frame N. 
   
   
     14. The communication system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the message has a length signified by a field of bit values placed in the one segment of frame N.